Chapter 8

The moon is up; by Heaven a lovely eve! Long streams of light, o'er glancing waves expand, Now lads on shore may sigh and maids believe: Such be our fate when we return to land!

Byron.

The approach of the Winkelried had been seen from Vévey throughout theafternoon and evening. The arrival of the Baron de Willading and hisdaughter was expected by many in the town, the rank and influence of theformer in the great canton rendering him an object of interest to morethan those who felt affection for his person and respect for his uprightqualities. Roger de Blonay had not been his only youthful friend, for theplace contained another, with whom he was intimate by habit, if not from acommunity of those principles which are the best cement of friendships.

The officer charged with the especial supervision of the districts orcircles, into which Berne had caused its dependent territory of Vaud to bedivided, was termed a _bailli_, a title that our word bailiff willscarcely render, except as it may strictly mean a substitute for theexercise of authority that is the property of another, but which, for thewant of a better term, we may be compelled occasionally to use. Thebailli, or bailiff, of Vévey was Peter Hofmeister, a member of one ofthose families of the bürgerschaft, or the municipal aristocracy of thecanton, which found its institutions venerable, just, and, and if onemight judge from their language, almost sacred, simply because it had beenin possession of certain exclusive privileges under their authority, thatwere not only comfortable in their exercise but fecund in other worldlyadvantages. This Peter Hofmeister was, in the main, a hearty,well-meaning, and somewhat benevolent person, but, living as he did underthe secret consciousness that all was not as it should be, he pushed hisopinions on the subject of vested interests, and on the stability oftemporal matters, a little into extremes, pretty much on the sameprinciple as that on which the engineer expends the largest portion of hisart in fortifying the weakest point of the citadel, taking care that thereshall be a constant flight of shot, great and small, across the mostaccessible of its approaches. By one of the exclusive ordinances of thosetimes, in which men were glad to get relief from the violence and rapacityof the baron and the satellite of the prince, ordinances that it was thefashion of the day to term liberty, the family of Hofmeister had come intothe exercise of a certain charge, or monopoly, that, in truth, had alwaysconstituted its wealth and importance, but of which it was accustomed tospeak as forming its principal claim to the gratitude of the public, forduties that had been performed not only so well, but for so long a period,by an unbroken succession of patriots descended from the same stock. Theywho judged of the value attached to the possession of this charge, by theanimation with which all attempts to relieve them of the burthen wererepelled, must have been in error; for, to hear their friends descant onthe difficulties of the duties, of the utter impossibility that theyshould be properly discharged by any family that had not been in theirexercise just one hundred and seventy-two years and a half, the preciseperiod of the hard servitude of the Hofmeisters, and the rare merit oftheir self-devotion to the common good, it would seem that they were somany modern Curtii, anxious to leap into the chasm of uncertain andendless toil, to save the Republic from the ignorance and peculations ofcertain interested and selfish knaves, who wished to enjoy the same hightrusts, for a motive so unworthy as that of their own particularadvantage. This subject apart, however, and with a strong reservation infavor of the supremacy of Berne, on whom his importance depended, a betteror a more philanthropic man than Peter Hofmeister would not have beeneasily found. He was a hearty laugher, a hard drinker, a common andpeculiar failing of the age, a great respecter of the law, as was meet inone so situated, and a bachelor of sixty-eight, a time of life that, byreferring his education to a period more remote by half a century, thanthat in which the incidents of our legend took place, was not at all infavor of any very romantic predilection in behalf of the rest of the humanrace. In short, the Herr Hofmeister was a bailiff, much as Balthazar was aheadsman, on account of some particular merit or demerit, (it might now bedifficult to say which,) of one of his ancestors, by the laws of thecanton, and by the opinions of men. The only material difference betweenthem was in the fact, that the one greatly enjoyed his station, while theother had but an indifferent relish for his trust.

When Roger de Blonay, by the aid of a good glass, had assured himself thatthe bark which lay off St. Saphorin, in the even tide, with yardsa-cock-bill, and sails pendent in their picturesque drapery, contained aparty of gentle travellers who occupied the stern, and saw by the plumesand robes that a female of condition was among them, he gave an order toprepare the beacon-fire, and descended to the port, in order to be inreadiness to receive his friend. Here he found the bailiff, pacing thepublic promenade, which is washed by the limpid water of the lake, withthe air of a man who had more on his mind than the daily cares of office.Although the Baron de Blonay was a Vaudois, and looked upon all thefunctionaries of his country's conquerors with a species of hereditarydislike, he was by nature a man of mild and courteous qualities, and themeeting was, as usual, friendly in the externals, and of seemingcordiality. Great care was had by both to speak in the second person; onthe part of the Vaudois, that it might be seen he valued himself as, atleast, the equal of the representative of Berne, and, on that of thebailiff, in order to show that his office made him as good as the head ofthe oldest house in all that region.

"Thou expectest to see friends from Genf in yonder bark?" said the HerrHofmeister, abruptly.

"And thou?"

"A friend, and one more than a friend;" answered the bailiff, evasively."My advices tell me that Melchior de Willading will sojourn among usduring the festival of the Abbaye, and secret notice has been sent thatthere will be another here, who wishes to see our merry-making, withoutpretension to the honors that he might fairly claim."

"It is not rare for nobles of mark, and even princes, to visit us on theseoccasions, under feigned names and without the _éclat_ of their rank, forthe great, when they descend to follies, seldom like to bring their highcondition within their influence."

"The wiser they. I have my own troubles with these accursed fooleries,for--it may be a weakness, but it is one that is official--I cannot helpimagining that a bailiff cuts but a shabby figure before the people, inthe presence of so many gods and goddesses. To own to thee the truth, Irejoice that he who cometh, cometh as he doth.--Hast letters of late datefrom Berne?"

"None; though report says that there is like to be a change among some ofthose who fill the public trusts."

"So much the worse!" growled the bailiff. "Is it to be expected that menwho never did an hour's duty in a charge can acquit themselves like thosewho have, it might be said, sucked in practice with their mother's milk?"

"Ay; this is well enough for thee; but others say that even the Erlachshad a beginning."

"Himmel! Am I a heathen to deny this? As many beginnings as thou wilt,good Roger, but I like not thy ends. No doubt an Erlach is mortal, likeall of us, and even a created being; but a man is not a charge. Let theclay die, if thou wilt, but, if thou wouldst have faithful or skilfulservants look to the true successor. But we will have none of thisto-day.--Hast many guests at Blonay?"

"Not one. I look for the company of Melchior de Willading and hisdaughter--and yet I like not the time! There are evil signs playing aboutthe high peaks and in the neighborhood of the Dents since the sun hasset!"

"Thou art ever in a storm up in thy castle there! The Leman was never morepeaceable, and I should take it truly in evil part, were the rebelliouslake to get into one of its fits of sudden anger with so precious afreight on its bosom."

"I do not think the Genfer See will regard even a bailiff's displeasure!"rejoined the Baron de Blonay, laughing. "I repeat it; the signs aresuspicious. Let us consult the watermen, for it may be well to send alight-pulling boat to bring the travellers to land."

Roger de Blonay and the bailiff walked towards the little earthen mole,that partially protects the roadstead of Vévey, and which is for everforming and for ever washing away before the storms of winter, in order toconsult some of those who were believed to be expert in detecting thesymptoms that precede any important changes of the atmosphere. Theopinions were various. Most believed there would be a gust; but, as theWinkelried was known to be a new and well-built bark, and none could tellhow much beyond her powers she had been loaded by the cupidity ofBaptiste, and as it was generally thought the wind would be as likely tobring her up to her haven as to be against her, there appeared nosufficient reason for sending off the boat; especially as it was believedthe bark would be not only drier but safer than a smaller craft, shouldthey be overtaken by the wind. This indecision, so common in cases ofuncertainty, was the means of exposing Adelheid and her father to allthose fearful risks they had just run.

When the night came on, the people of the town began to understand thatthe tempest would be grave for those who were obliged to encounter it,even in the best bark on the Leman. The darkness added to the danger, forvessels had often run against the land by miscalculating their distances;and the lights were shown along the strand, by order of the bailiff, whomanifested an interest so unusual in those on board the Winkelried, as todraw about them more than the sympathy that would ordinarily be felt fortravellers in distress. Every exertion that the case admitted was made intheir behalf, and, the moment the state of the lake allowed, boats weresent off, in every probable direction, to their succor. But the Winkelriedwas running along the coast of Savoy, ere any ventured forth, and thesearch proved fruitless. When the rumor spread, however, that a sail wasto be discerned coming out from under the wide shadow of the oppositemountains, and that it was steering for La Tour de Peil, a village with afar safer harbor than that of Vévey, and but an arrow's flight from thelatter town, crowds rushed to the spot. The instant it was known that themissing party was in her, the travellers were received with cheers ofdelight and cries of hearty greeting.

The bailiff and Roger de Blonay hastened forward to receive the Baron deWillading and his friends, who were carried in a tumultuous and joyfulmanner into the old castle that adjoins the port, and from which, intruth, the latter derives its name. The Bernois noble was too muchaffected with the scenes through which he had so lately passed, and withthe strong and ungovernable tenderness of Adelheid, who had wept over himas a mother sobs over her recovered child, to exchange greetings with himof Vaud, in the hearty, cordial manner that ordinarily characterized theirmeetings. Still their peculiar habits shone through the restraint.

"Thou seest me just rescued from the fishes of thy Leman, dear de Blonay,"he said, squeezing the other's hand with emotion, as, leaning on hisshoulder, they went into the château. "But for yonder brave youth, and ashonest a mariner as ever floated on water, fresh or salt, all that is leftof old Melchior de Willading would, at this moment, be of less value thanthe meanest férà in thy lake!"

"God be praised that thou art as we see thee! We feared for thee, andboats are out at this moment in search of thy bark: but it has been wiserordered. This brave young man, who, I see, is both a Swiss and a soldier,is doubly welcome among us,--in the two characters just named, and as onethat hath done thee and us so great a service."

Sigismund received the compliments which he so well merited with modesty.The bailiff, however, not content with making the usual felicitations,whispered in his ear that a service like this, rendered to one of its mostesteemed nobles, would not be forgotten by the Councils on a properoccasion.

"Thou art happily arrived, Herr Melchior," he then added, aloud; "come asthou wilt, floating or sailing in air. We have thee among us none theworse for the accident, and we thank God, as Roger de Blonay has just sowell observed. Our Abbaye is like to be a gallant ceremony, for diversgentlemen of name are in the town, and I hear of more that are prickingforward among the mountains from countries beyond the Rhine. Hadst thou noother companions in the bark but these I see around us?"

"There is another, and I wonder that he is not here! 'Tis a noble Genoese,that thou hast often heard me name, Sire de Blonay, as one that I love.Gaetano Grimaldi is a name familiar to thee, or the words of friendshiphave been uttered in an idle ear."

"I have heard so much of the Italian that I can almost fancy him an oldand tried acquaintance. When thou first returnedst from the Italian wars,thy tongue was never weary of recounting his praises: it was Gaetano saidthis--Gaetano thought thus--Gaetano did that! Surely he is not of thycompany?"

"He, and no other! A lucky meeting on the quay of Genf brought us togetheragain after a separation of full thirty years, and, as if Heaven hadreserved its trials for the occasion, we have been made to go through thelate danger in company. I had him in my arms in that fearful moment,Roger, when the sky, and the mountains, and all of earth, even to thatdear girl, were fading, as I thought for ever, from my sight,--he, thathad already been my partner in so many risks, who had bled for me, watchedfor me, ridden for me, and did all other things that love could prompt forme, was brought by Providence to be my companion in the awful straitthrough which I have just passed!"

While the Baron was still speaking, his friend entered with the quiet anddignified mien he always maintained, when it was not his pleasure to throwaside the reserve of high station, or when he yielded to the torrents offeeling that sometimes poured through his southern temperament, in a wayto unsettle the deportment of mere convention. He was presented to Rogerde Blonay and the bailiff, as the person just alluded to, and as theoldest and most tried of the friends of his introducer. His reception bythe former was natural and warm, while the Herr Hofmeister was soparticular in his professions of pleasure and respect as to excite notonly notice but surprise.

"Thanks, thanks, good Peterchen," said the Baron de Willading, for suchwas the familiar diminutive by which the bustling bailiff was usuallyaddressed by those who could take the liberty; thanks, honest Peterchen;thy kindness to Gaetano is so much love shown to myself."

"I honor thy friends as thyself, Herr von Willading," returned thebailiff; "for thou hast a claim to the esteem of the bürgerschaft and allits servants; but the homage paid to the Signor Grimaldi is due on his ownaccount. We are but poor Swiss, that dwell in the midst of wild mountains,little favored by the sun if ye will, and less known to the world;--but wehave our manners! A man that hath been intrusted with authority as long asI were unfit for his trust, did he not tell, as it might be by instinct,when he has those in his presence that are to be honored. Signore, theloss of Melchior von Willading before our haven, would have made the lakeunpleasant to us all, for months, not to say years; but, had so great acalamity arrived as that of your death by means of our waters, I couldhave prayed that the mountains might fall into the basin, and bury theoffending Leman under their rocks!"

Melchior de Willading and old Roger de Blonay laughed heartily atPeterchen's hyperbolical compliments; though it was quite plain that theworthy bailiff himself fancied he had said a clever thing.

"I thank you, Signore, no less than my friend de Willading," returned theGenoese, a gleam of humor lighting his eye. "This courteous receptionquite outdoes us of Italy; for I doubt if there be a man south of theAlps, who would be willing to condemn either of our seas to sooverwhelming a punishment, for a fault so venial, or at least so natural.I beg, however, that the lake may be pardoned; since, at the worst, it wasbut a secondary agent in the affair, and, I doubt not, it would havetreated us as it treats all travellers, had we kept out of its embraces.The crime must be imputed to the winds, and as they are the offspring ofthe hills, I fear it will be found that these very mountains, to which youlook for retribution, will be convicted at last as the true devisers andabettors of the plot against our lives."

The bailiff chuckled and simpered, like a man pleased equally with his ownwit and with that he had excited in others, and the discourse changed;though, throughout the night, as indeed was the fact on all otheroccasions during his visit, the Signor Grimaldi received from him somarked and particular attentions, as to create a strong sentiment in favorof the Italian among those who had been chiefly accustomed to seePeterchen enact the busy, important, dignified, local functionary.

Attention was now paid to the first wants of the travellers, who had greatneed of refreshments after the fatigues and exposure of the day. To obtainthe latter, Roger de Blonay insisted that they should ascend to hiscastle, in whose grate the welcoming beacon still blazed. By means of_chars-à-banc_, the peculiar vehicle of the country, the short distancewas soon overcome, the bailiff, not a little to the surprise of the ownerof the house, insisting on seeing the strangers safely housed within itswalls. At the gate of Blonay, however, Peterchen took his leave, making ahundred apologies for his absence, on the ground of the extensive dutiesthat had devolved on his shoulders in consequence of the approaching fête.

"We shall have a mild winter, for I have never known the Herr Hofmeisterso courteous;" observed Roger de Blonay, while showing his guests into thecastle. "Thy Bernese authorities, Melchior, are little apt to be lavish oftheir compliments to us poor nobles of Vaud."

"Signore, you forget the interest of our friend;" observed the laughingGenoese. "There are other and better bailiwicks, beyond a question, inthe gifts of the Councils, and the Signor de Willading has a loud voice intheir disposal. Have I found a solution for this zeal?"

"Thou hast not," returned the baron, "for Peterchen hath little hopebeyond that of dying where he has lived, the deputed ruler of a smalldistrict. The worthy man should have more credit for a good heart, hisown, no doubt, being touched at seeing those who are, as it may be,redeemed from the grave. I owe him grace for the kindness, and should abetter thing really offer, and could my poor voice be of account, why, Ido not say it should be silent; it is serving the public well, to put menof these kind feelings into places of trust."

This opinion appeared very natural to the listeners, all of whom, with theexception of the Signor Grimaldi, joined in echoing the sentiment. Thelatter, more experienced in the windings of the human heart, or possessingsome reasons known only to himself, merely smiled at the remarks that heheard, as if he thoroughly understood the difference between the homagethat is paid to station, and that which a generous and noble nature iscompelled to yield to its own impulses.

An hour later, the light repast was ended, and Roger de Blonay informedhis guests that they would be well repaid for walking a short distance, bya look at the loveliness of the night. In sooth, the change was already sogreat, that it was not easy for the imagination to convert the soft andsmiling scene that lay beneath and above the towers of Blonay, into thedark vault and the angry lake from which they had so lately escaped.

Every cloud had already sailed far away towards the plains of Germany, andthe moon had climbed so high above the ragged Dent de Jaman as to its raysto stream into, the basin of the Leman. A thousand pensive stars spangledthe vauk images of the benign omnipotence which unceasingly pervades andgoverns the universe, whatever may be the local derangements or accidentalstruggles of the inferior agents. The foaming and rushing waves had gonedown nearly as fast as they had arisen, and, in their stead, remainedmyriads of curling ridges along which the glittering moonbeams danced,rioting with mild impunity on the surface of the placid sheet. Boats wereout again, pulling for Savoy or the neighboring villages: and the wholeview betokened the renewed confidence of those who trusted habitually tothe fickle and blustering elements.

"There is a strong and fearful resemblance between the human passions andthese hot and angry gusts of nature;" observed the Signor Grimaldi, afterthey had stood silently regarding the scene for several musingminutes--"alike quick to be aroused and to be appeased; equallyungovernable while in the ascendant, and admitting the influence of awholesome reaction, that brings a more sober tranquillity, when the fit isover. Your northern phlegm may render the analogy less apparent, but it isto be found as well among the cooler temperaments of the Teutonic stock,as among us of warmer blood. Do not this placid hill-side, yon lake, andthe starry heavens, look as if they regretted their late unseemlyviolence, and wished to cheat the beholder into forgetfulness of theirattack on our safety, as an impetuous but generous nature would repent itof the blow given in anger, or of the cutting speech that had escaped in amoment of spleen? What hast thou to say to my opinion, Signor Sigismund,for none know better than thou the quality of the tempest we haveencountered?"

"Signore," answered the young soldier, modestly, "you forget this bravemariner, without whose coolness and forethought all would have been lost.He has come up to Blonay, at our own request, but, until now, he has beenoverlooked."

Maso came forward at a signal from Sigismund, and stood before the partyto whom he had rendered so signal aid, with a composure that was noteasily disturbed.

"I have come up to the castle, Signore, at your commands," he said,addressing the Genoese; "but, having my own affairs on hand, must now begto know your pleasure?"

"We have, in sooth, been negligent of thy merit. On landing, my firstthought was of thee, as thou knowest: but other things had caused me toforget thee. Thou art, like myself, an Italian?"

"Signore, I am."

"Of what country?"

"Of your own, Signore; a Genoese, as I have said before."

The other remembered the circumstance, though it did not seem to pleasehim. He looked around, as if to detect what others thought, and thencontinued his questions.

"A Genoese!" he repeated, slowly: "if this be so, we should know somethingof each other. Hast ever heard of me, in thy frequent visits to the port?"

Maso smiled; at first, he appeared disposed to be facetious; but a darkcloud passed over his swarthy lineaments, and he lost his pleasantry, inan air of thoughtfulness that struck his interrogator as singular.

"Signore," he said, after a pause, "most that follow my manner of lifeknow something of your eccellenza; if it is only to be questioned of thisthat I am here, I pray leave to be permitted to go my way."

"No, by San Francesco! thou quittest us not so unceremoniously. I amwrong to assume the manner of a superior with one to whom I owe my life,and am well answered. But there is a heavy account to be settled betweenus, and I will do something towards wiping out the balance, which is sogreatly against me, now; leaving thee to apply for a further statement,when we shall both be again in our own Genoa."

The Signor Grimaldi had reached forth an arm, while speaking, and receiveda well-filled purse from his countryman and companion, Marcelli. This wassoon emptied of its contents, a fair show of sequins, all of which wereoffered to the mariner, without reservation. Maso looked coldly at theglittering pile, and, by his hesitation, left a doubt whether he did notthink the reward insufficient.

"I tell thee it is but the present gage of further payment. At Genoa ouraccount shall be fairly settled; but this is all that a traveller canprudently spare. Thou wilt come to me in our own town, and we will look toall thy interests."

"Signore, you offer that for which men do all acts, whether of good or ofevil. They jeopard their souls for this very metal; mock at God's laws;overlook the right; trifle with justice, and become devils incarnate topossess it; and yet, though nearly penniless, I am so placed as to becompelled to refuse what you offer."

"I tell thee, Maso, that it shall be increased hereafter--or--we are notso poor as to go a-begging! Good Marcelli, empty thy hoards, and I willhave, recourse to Melchior de Willading's purse for our wants, until wecan get nearer to our own supplies."

"And is Melchior de Willading to pass for nothing, in all this!" exclaimedthe Baron; "put up thy gold, Gaetano, and leave me to satisfy the honestmariner for the present. At a later day, he can come to thee, in Italy:but here, on my own ground, I claim the right to be his banker."

"Signore," returned Maso, earnestly and with more of gentle feeling thanhe was accustomed to betray, "you are both liberal beyond my desires, andbut too well disposed for my poor wants. I have come up to the castle atyour order, and to do you pleasure, but not in the hope to get money. I ampoor; that it would be useless to deny, for appearances are against me--"here he laughed, his auditors thought in a manner that was forced--"butpoverty and meanness are not always inseparable. You have more thansuspected to-day that my life is free, and I admit it; but it is a mistaketo believe that, because men quit the high-road which some call honesty,in any particular practice, they are without human feeling. I have beenuseful in saving your lives, Signori, and there is more pleasure in thereflection, than I should find in having the means to earn twice the goldye offer. Here is the Signor Capitano," he added, taking Sigismund by thearm, and dragging him forward, "lavish your favors on him, for no practiceof mine could have been of use without his bravery. If ye give him all inyour treasuries, even to its richest pearl, ye will do no more thanreason."

As Maso ceased, he cast a glance towards the attentive, breathlessAdelheid, that continued to utter his meaning even after the tongue wassilent The bright suffusion that covered the maiden's face was visibleeven by the pale moonlight, and Sigismund shrunk back from his rude graspin the manner in which the guilty retire from notice.

"These opinions are creditable to thee, Maso," returned the Genoese,affecting not to understand his more particular meaning, "and they excitea stronger wish to be thy friend. I will say no more on the subject atpresent, for I see thy humor. Thou wilt let me see thee at Genoa?"

The expression of Maso's countenance was inexplicable, but he retained hisusual indifference of manner.

"Signor Gaetano," he said, using a mariner's freedom in the address,"there are nobles in Genoa that might better knock at the door of yourpalace than I; and there are those, too, in the city that would gossip,were it known that you received such guests."

"This is tying thyself too closely to an evil and a dangerous trade. Isuspect thee to be of the contraband, but surely it is not a pursuit sofree from danger, of so much repute, or, judging by thy attire, of so muchprofit even, that thou needest be wedded to it for life. Means can befound to relieve thee from its odium, by giving thee a place in thosecustoms with which thou hast so often trifled."

Maso laughed outright.

"So it is, Signore, in this moral world of ours. He who would run a faircourse, in any particular trust has only to make himself dangerous to bebought up. Your thief-takers are desperate rogues out of business; yourtide-waiter has got his art by cheating the revenue; and I have been inlands where it was said, that all they who most fleeced the people begantheir calling as suffering patriots. The rule is firmly enough establishedwithout the help of my poor name, and, by your leave, I will remain as Iam; one that hath his pleasure in living amid risks, and who takes hisrevenge of the authorities by railing at them when defeated, and inlaughing at them when in success."

"Young man, thou hast in thee the materials of a better life!"

"Signore, this may be true," answered Maso, whose countenance again grewdark; "we boast of being the lords of the creation, but the bark of poorBaptista was not less master of its movements, in the late gust, than weare masters of our fortunes. Signor Grimaldi, I have in me the materialsthat make a man; but the laws, and the opinions, and the accursed strifeof men, have left me what I am. For the first fifteen years of my career,the church was to be my stepping-stone to a cardinal's hat or a fatpriory; but the briny sea-water washed out the necessary unction."

"Thou art better born than thou seemest--thou hast friends who should begrieved at this?"

The eye of Maso flashed, but he bent it aside, as if bearing down, by theforce of an indomitable will, some sudden and fierce impulse.

The haggard smile to which this question gave birth induced the Genoese toregret that he had put it. Maso evidently struggled to subdue some feelingwhich harrowed his very soul, and his success was owing to such a commandof himself as men rarely obtain.

"She is dead," he answered, huskily; "she is a saint with the angels. Hadshe lived, I should never have been a mariner, and--and--" laying his handon his throat, as if to keep down the sense of suffocation, he smiled, andadded, laughingly,--"ay, and the good Winkelried would have been awreck."

"Maso, thou must come to me at Genoa. I must see more of thee, andquestion thee further of thy fortunes. A fair spirit has been perverted inthy fall, and the friendly aid of one who is not without influence maystill restore its tone."

The Signor Grimaldi spoke warmly, like one who sincerely felt regret, andhis voice had all the melancholy and earnestness of such a sentiment. Thetruculent nature of Maso was touched by this show of interest, and amultitude of fierce passions were at once subdued. He approached the nobleGenoese, and respectfully took his hand.

"Pardon the freedom, Signore," he said more mildly, intently regarding thewrinkled and attenuated fingers, with the map-like tracery of veins, thathe held in his own brown and hard palm; "this is not the first time thatour flesh has touched each other, though it is the first time that ourhands have joined. Let it now be in amity. A humor has come over me, and Iwould crave your pardon, venerable noble, for the freedom. Signore, youare aged, and honored, and stand high, doubtless, in Heaven's favor, as inthat of man--grant me, then, your blessing, ere I go my way."

As Maso preferred this extraordinary request, he knelt with an air of somuch reverence and sincerity as to leave little choice as to granting it.The Genoese was surprised, but not disconcerted. With perfect dignity andself-possession, and with a degree of feeling that was not unsuited to theoccasion, the fruit of emotions so powerfully awakened, he pronounced thebenediction. The mariner arose, kissed the hand which he still held, madea hurried sign of salutation to all, leaped down the declivity on whichthey stood, and vanished among the shadows of a copse.

Sigismund, who had witnessed this unusual scene with surprise, watched himto the last, and he saw, by the manner in which he dashed his hand acrosshis eyes, that his fierce nature had been singularly shaken. On recoveringhis thoughts, the Signor Grimaldi, too, felt certain there had been nomockery in the conduct of their inexplicable preserver, for a hot tear hadfallen on his hand ere it was liberated. He was himself strongly agitatedby what had passed, and, leaning on his friend, he slowly re-entered thegates of Blonay.

"This extraordinary demand of Maso's has brought up the sad image of myown poor son, dear Melchior," he said; "would to Heaven that he could havereceived this blessing, and that it might have been of use to him, in thesight of God! Nay, he may yet hear of it--for, canst thou believe it, Ihave thought that Maso may be one of his lawless associates, and that somewild desire to communicate this scene has prompted the strange request Igranted."

The discourse continued, but it became secret, and of the mostconfidential kind. The rest of the party soon sought their beds, thoughlamps were burning in the chambers of the two old nobles to a late hour ofthe night.